Collectors review supply of fertilisers, conduct surprise raids

Krishna District Collector D.K. Balaji on Sunday (August 24, 2025) directed the tahsildars and Agriculture Department officials to identify people hoarding fertilisers and book them under National Security Act, 1980.

He instructed the officers to conduct surprise checks and book those who were diverting fertilisers to industries, aqua and other purposes, and creating a scarcity.

Vigilance and Enforcement (V&E) Director General Harish Kumar Gupta said that the vigilance teams were conducting raids across the State on wholesale and retain fertiliser shops to seize any illegal stocks.

Mr. Balaji said that the Task Force Committees have been constituted in Krishna district to check misuse of fertilisers. He directed Joint Collector Geetanjali Sharma and Superintendent of Police R. Gangadhar Rao to take steps to check illegal transportation of fertilisers.

Meanwhile, Eluru District Collector K. Vetri Selvi conducted surprise raids on aqua shops in Kaikalur and verified the stock position, sales and checked the registers. She inspected Chataparru Society Fertilisers Godown and enquired about the stocks and sale of fertilisers to the farmers. She asked the farmers not to use excess fertilisers in cultivation.

“Stern action would be taken against the dealers, who maintain illegal stocks and sell fertilisers at high prices,” the Collector warned.

NTR District Collector G. Lakshmisha, who reviewed the supply of fertilisers in the district, said that 21,374 metric tonnes of fertilisers were available for agriculture. “A control room has been set up at the Collectorate to monitor any complaints on misuse or illegal transportation of fertilisers. Farmers are requested to alert the officers about overpricing or black market sale of fertilisers on 91549 70454,” Mr. Lakshmisha said.